Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish says Mikael Forssell can be crucial in their bid to survive relegation.

McLeish said: "I tried to buy Mikael when he had gone back to Chelsea after the one season with Birmingham. We were keen at Rangers to gazump Birmingham but it just didn't happen.

"I think Mikael had such an affection for this club and he wanted to come back here.

"I've seen him in international football - and we got an international type performance against Reading from Mikael. We just hope we can keep him fit because he is very important to the squad.

"We definitely are looking to Mikael to be a big player for us."